255. For the celebrations proper to this form of Christian initiation, it is advantageous, as circumstances allow, to form a group of several children who are in the same situation, in order that by example they may help one another in their progress as catechumens.

On paper, it looks nice. Certainly it makes sense to celebrate the rites of the catechumenate period with larger groups of children. The Lenten period rites should probably be celebrated with adults, if possible.

Almost all American parishes I know of have just a trickle of youth catechumens at any one time. And there are at least three distinct age groups: elementary, tween, and adolescents–I can’t imagine effectively mixing these in catechesis.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.